Bangkok: Overview

The modern Asian metropolis at its steamy and exciting best.

Bangkok has dominated Thailand’s urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Distinctly modern and Westernised, Bangkok is still a sleepy Thai village with a louder soundtrack of traffic and nightlife.

Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River), drawing rural Thai folk into its cluttered fold daily. The city is reportedly sinking at a rate of 5cm (2in) every year, but there’s too much sànùk (a Thai sense of fun) going on for that to get anyone down.

Enormous gold ‘modern style’ Buddha, outside Wat Intharawihan

Wat Phra Kaew, also known as ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’

Wat Mahathat, temple and Buddhist university, offers free meditation lessons

Forest of signs and stream of traffic on Khao San Road

Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount) at dusk

Dancing during dinner at Sala Rim Naam restaurant, Oriental Hotel

Fresh and dried chillies in Bangkok market

Thai boxing, with fists and feet, at Sanam Muay Lumphini Boxing Stadium

Traders at one of Bangkok’s many floating markets

Detail of tuk-tuk , a three-wheeled motor-taxi

[Thanks: http://www.lonelyplanet.com]